honorable mention
Kairon(Ren-Kai) Liu taiwan
title
Humans as Hosts
Kairon Liu started his research with HIV in 2017 in Taiwan. The inspiration for Liu's project, Humans as Hosts is his best friend, alias Tree, who has recovered from betrayal and sorrow several times due to his affliction. The photographs and archives created by Liu and the participants he encounters through his daily life and practice make evident that all human beings are exposed to the virus. We are all human beings, and we continuously face this threat, physically and/or mentally.
Liu's work was awarded as the National Winner in Taiwan by SONY World Photography Awards; from 2014 to 2021, his artworks have been exhibited at such venues in Springfield, New York City, D.C., London, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Yilan. Liu has also worked as an art project manager and curator. He has managed several exhibitions and artfests for Taipei Artist Village, Treasure Hill Artist Village, Taitung Art Museum, Tina Keng Gallery, and TKG+.
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entry description
Today, medical treatments help people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have prolonged and ordinary lives, as well as prevent further transmission, but they can never kill the virus hiding within. Despite these advances, moral condemnation and discrimination against the disease continue. The consequences of this stigma are mental illness and distress, often generating greater suffering than the physiological disease itself. Until a true cure is found, shame, insecurity, and trauma will continue to afflict those diagnosed with HIV until our societies and communities change the ways in which we consider and support them.Kairon Liu started his research with HIV in 2017 in Taiwan. The inspiration for Liu's project, Humans as Hosts is his best friend, alias Tree, who has recovered from betrayal and sorrow several times due to his affliction. The photographs and archives created by Liu and the participants he encounters through his daily life and practice make evident that all human beings are exposed to the virus. We are all human beings, and we continuously face this threat, physically and/or mentally.
about the photographer
Kairon Liu (b.1992, Taipei, Taiwan) is graduated from the Department of Graphic Communication, Shih Hsin University. As an artist, curator, and photographer, Liu's practice reflects his observations on diverse beliefs in human society by creating narratives exploring issues related to religion, illness, and universal values. Since 2017, Liu has been developing Humans as Hosts. A project focused on understanding the living situation of people with HIV and heightening awareness about AIDS. In collaboration with social networks, NGOs, and public health authorities worldwide, Liu gets to know HIV-positive individuals and invites them into his work. The resulting images/archives that he created with the participants can be viewed as the proof/disproof of stereotypes, prejudices, and stigmatization produced by societies.Liu's work was awarded as the National Winner in Taiwan by SONY World Photography Awards; from 2014 to 2021, his artworks have been exhibited at such venues in Springfield, New York City, D.C., London, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Yilan. Liu has also worked as an art project manager and curator. He has managed several exhibitions and artfests for Taipei Artist Village, Treasure Hill Artist Village, Taitung Art Museum, Tina Keng Gallery, and TKG+.
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